A great 4th of July party starts with tradition and adds a twist to keep it interesting. Because this holiday has been celebrated for generations, people expect certain elements when they are invited to a 4th of July party – barbecue; watermelon; and a sea of red, white and blue.

You can use these elements as inspiration and make them into something completely new – there are no rules as to what must be on the grill, and watermelon can arrive at the table in many different forms. A great party can last well into the night, so be prepared to keep your guests comfortable long after the fireworks explode overhead. Break out the red-white-and-blue tablecloth and get inspired by these party ideas.

Location, Location, LocationThe first order of business is deciding where you would like to hold the party. Is your back yard big enough to hold a crowd? Can you see fireworks from your location? For many revelers, a professional fireworks display is a must-see on the big day, so take your location into account, or plan on having the party break up in time to reach another venue. If your yard isn’t an optimal location, consider holding the party at a local park. Many cities allow picnic areas to be reserved for free or at a low cost – a big bonus if you can see city fireworks from the picnic tables.

Once you have found a great location (or cleaned up the back yard), remember that most 4th of July parties continue well into the evening.

Tiki torches and glow sticks are great to have around once the sun goes down. If you are in your back yard, put up twinkling red, white and blue lights for your own nighttime display. If you live in an area that cools off at night, try to get a fire pit or portable heater to keep your guests warm and in the party mood. Bring some quilts or blankets for those who may not have brought warmer clothes. If mosquitoes are likely to invade, take precautions with insect candles or even a netted tent or two. If your guests are going to drive to another location to watch fireworks, taper off the alcoholic drinks early.

SuppliesGetting colorful 4th of July party supplies is easy. Anything red, white and blue is immediately festive – throw in some stars and sparkle for extra punch. Many party-supply stores sell “sparklers” that are shiny plastic strips on a stick that are great for decorating the buffet table. Red, white and blue balloons, tied to a tree or mailbox, will tell guests that this is the place to party.

Games and MusicIf you have the space, set out some traditional games for your guests to play. For a large crowd, you can organize games such as tug-o-war, an egg and spoon race, or even flag football. Frisbee can take on new life as Frisbee golf – set up targets for each player to hit and score the game as you would a mini-golf game. A water balloon toss is always welcome on a hot day, and red, white and blue balloons play up the 4th of July party theme. You can also set out games for guests to play on their own – croquet, horseshoes and bocce ball are always summer lawn favorites.

Music always puts guests in a party mood, so gather some CDs or make your own compilations so you can keep the music playing. Try a mix of contemporary hits with country and western favorites and even a few rousing marching-band tunes for a 4th of July flair. Ask a talented friend to bring a guitar for a campfire sing-along while you are waiting for the fireworks to start.

4th of July Party FoodThe heart of any 4th of July party is the food. Traditionalists will be expecting a barbecue with all of the 4th of July trimmings, so it is a good idea to have some standard fare on hand. Fire up the barbecue with chicken, hamburgers and hot dogs for the kids. For a new treat on the grill, try some skewered shrimp or pineapple. You can even set out the fixings for fajitas – tortillas, guacamole, cheese and grilled veggies – and let your guests assemble their own Mexican food. Instead of boring baked potatoes, assemble potato packets ahead of time and cook alongside the meat on the grill. Simply place thinly cut potato wedges or circles, chopped onion, cheese and bacon onto a square of foil. Drizzle with olive oil, seal the foil and cook for about 25 minutes or until the potatoes are done. Guests love these tasty individual packets, and clean-up is a breeze. Don’t wait for a man to fire up the grill – it is a lot easier than you think to get even charcoal briquettes glowing at the right temperature.

You should always have an array of finger foods on hand to keep the munchies at bay while the grill heats up. Deviled eggs are easy and always welcome at a 4th of July party. Try a fruit salad served in the hollowed out rind of a watermelon for a festive twist. You can opt for a cooler full of canned beverages, or keep your guest hydrated with old-fashioned lemonade and iced tea. For the adults, a pitcher of sangria made with fruit and red wine goes perfectly with grilled meats, and a supply of American or imported beers is a must.

You can punctuate your 4th of July party with an array of desserts, both traditional and inspired. Apple pie, star-shaped cookies, coconut cake and, of course, s’mores cooked over the fire pit are welcome at any barbecue. Emphasize the taste of summer with an easy watermelon sorbet that you can make ahead of time. Boil 1 cup of water with ½ cup of sugar and then let simmer for 5 minutes. Pour into an 8-inch glass pan. Puree 4 cups of watermelon in a blender and then strain the juice into a bowl. Combine 2 cups of juice with 1.5 tablespoons of lemon juice and stir into the sugar syrup. Freeze for 1 hour, then stir and freeze again until solid. Thaw slightly and pulse lightly in a blender to serve. Everyone will love this unique and refreshing way to serve an old favorite – and no seeds!

No matter where you live, you should be prepared for weather to change your 4th of July party plans. If it is still warm out, you can wait out the occasional shower under canopies that can double as sun shades when the weather clears. Even if they are legal in your part of the country, fireworks are best left to the professionals. You don’t want to be the party host if there is a serious mishap. Scout out public fireworks displays in your town and arrange for everyone to go together, or situate your party where they have a view of the festivities. Remember, a safe and sane 4th of July party will keep your guests coming back for more.

Do You Party With Style?From elegant to edgy, everyone has their own way of party planning and entertaining guests. Whether it is a birthday party or a dinner after theater party, the style creates a theme and menu with decorations dotting the exclamation point. If you want to know what your party style is, take this party quiz to find out!